Emergency services were called to an incident on Bangor High Street on Saturday afternoon when two people were found in a collapsed state, in what’s thought to be a drug related incident.

Shocking images have emerged on social media, which are deemed too graphic to publish, show a man and a woman unconscious in a shop doorway. Just meters away from the incident families and young children were celebrating Bangor’s annual carnival event.

Police and three ambulances attended the incident and it’s understood that the couple were successfully revived by medics at the scene.

One witness commented: “It was awful to see, both people were unconscious, sprawled out on the pavement.”

While another witness said: “They were in a ‘zombie’ like state when I walked past, not nice at all. I‘m not sure what‘s the best way to resolve this problem.”

Public Space Protection Order

Gwynedd Council is asking residents who live, work or visit Bangor to give their views on measures to tackle problems in the city centre.

At the request of North Wales Police, the Council is consulting on a possible Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which would aim to prevent some types of anti-social behaviour that are increasing in the city centre.

The police request follows concern that the current order does not enable them to deal with the problems in the area. Between April 2018 and June 2019 there were 486 incidents of anti-social behaviour and 649 crimes reported.

The new order would focus on action against:

  • Behaving in a manner that is likely to cause harassment, alarm, nuisance or distress
  • Loitering in a state of intoxication through alcohol or drug induced activity.
  • Consuming or being in possession of alcohol, likely to cause or causing anti-social behaviour, and refusing to surrender the alcohol to a Police officer.
  • Loitering or performing for reward within 10 meters of any cash point.

Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Support said: “It is hoped that introducing this order would prevent individuals and groups who behave anti-socially from having an impact on the lives of the residents of the area.

“As the only city in Gwynedd, Bangor is a very special place and there are lots of exciting developments happening there at the moment. It is important to us that individuals who live, work and visit the area feel safe there.

“The additional powers would enable the Police to deal with persistent inappropriate behaviour in a much more effective way as well as working with potential offenders. The Council will work with the Police and other agencies to ensure that appropriate support is given to these people and the order would not be used to target people who are vulnerable or homeless.

“We urge residents to take a look at the draft order and submit any comments they have on the content by responding to the public consultation.”

Inspector Kevin Bratherton from North Wales Police added: “The implementation of a PSPO will be a sustainable three year problem solving approach between partners to reduce the ongoing crime and anti-social behaviour within Bangor City Centre.

“In addition to providing an enforcement option the PSPO will allow early intervention and prevention through engagement and education. It’s anticipated this will have a positive impact on Anti-social behaviour and crime. None of the proposed conditions are unreasonable and they are specifically designed to tackle identified issues.”

Have Your Say

A draft copy of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and a response form is available on Gwynedd Council’s website www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/BangorOrder and paper copies are also available at Bangor Library, Bangor Byw’n Iach Leisure Centre and Storiel.

The consultation is open until 6 September 2019 and all your comments will be considered before the Cabinet meeting in the autumn.